First time reloading on my own

[sirgilligan]

First time ever reloading on my own. Setup the Rock Chucker Supreme. Resized three .30-06 cases using small base dies to shoot in a Browning BAR. Trimmed cases to proper length. Then deburred/chamferred the cases and cleaned the primer pocket.

Used:

RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme Press
RCBS Small Base Dies
RCBS Case Trimmer
RCBS Lube Pad and Case Lube
Lyman E-Zee case gage
Lyman Case Prep Multi Tool

 

[GBExpat]

Congratulations! This is an important day in your Life.

In the late '60s I started my reloading career with:



And loved every minute of it ... still do.

Enjoy!

 

[witchhunter]

Good job, don't get addicted.....GBEX, I started with the same setup as you around the same time....

 

[sirgilligan]

Thanks. For some reason I was a little stressed about it.

 

[longknife12]

Congrats, don't stress, you're hooked! Just pay attention to what you're doing and you have a lifetime of enjoyment. BTW, that RCBS stuff is nice.
Dan

 

[BYJO4]

Congrats and it looks like you are off to a good start. Get enough rounds put together so you can go to the range and try out. It's a great feeling to shoot your own loads.

 

[CZ9shooter]

I was a little nervous shooting my first handloads too. It doesnt take long to get a feel for things. Pretty soon you'll be confident and will be producing some very nice ammunition

 

[twofifty]

For most of us who've never paid much attention to the properties of materials and their dimensions into the thousandth's of an inch, reloading opens a window into a fascinating new mechanical and chemical world. Congrats.

 

[clearcut]

Yup now you can save some money a yup aaa yes serree!! ammunition anonymous 1 800)357-1911 .......
CC

 

[gamestalker]

Congrats!

Once you shoot those, you'll begin to develop confidence in what you load. And once you gain that confidence, that's when the addiction begins. At least that's how it progressed for me. After my first couple normal functioning batches, I couldn't buy components fast enough to keep up with my load developments.

GS

 

[Ks5shooter]

Your gonna have to join R.A. (reloaders anonymous)

 

[FROGO207]

You are on the road to self sufficiency. It is an enjoyable sub hobby of the shooting sports. The real stress will come with the unavailability of components as each panic hits. Follow the recipes/directions within the reloading manuals and it is not that difficult to stay safe. One big thing that I have done all my reloading years is to choose a propellant that provides 75% cartridge fill. This will help to prevent double charges and the damage that goes with it. With the shortages now it is not always possible to do this however.

 

[sirgilligan]

Thank you all for your advice and encouragement. I am sure I will have questions as I move forward in the process.

 

[GBExpat]

One big thing that I have done all my reloading years is to choose a propellant that provides 75% cartridge fill.

Do yourself a favor and take that excellent piece of advice to heart, sirgilligan.

 

[The Bushmaster]

"It's a great feeling to shoot your own loads"....It's even better feeling to shoot deer, elk, etc. with your own reloads.

 

[Rodentman]

Great start...

I am glad to see you getting started in reloading. It can be habit-forming, which isn't a bad thing. I started with this:



And now it looks like this:



I'm not sure which I enjoy more, shooting or reloading. So I keep doing both!

 

[Potatohead]

For most of us who've never paid much attention to the properties of materials and their dimensions into the thousandth's of an inch, reloading opens a window into a fascinating new mechanical and chemical world. Congrats.

Yea, what he said.

 

[GaryL]

Have you fired them yet?
If Not - it's not too late to back away from the press, turn around, and run away like scared little rabbit.

Otherwise, welcome to your new addiction.

 

[sirgilligan]

Have you fired them yet?

I am working on case preparation right now, so I did the three .30-06. Then I switched everything over to .223 and I have resized a few, next I will trim the .223 cases if needed, clean primer pocket, etc.

I am starting to get a feel for when I have enough lube and what the resistance feels like and if something feels different.

 

[Delmar]

sirgilligan, you are well on your way to TWO hobbies instead of just one. I began rolling my own years ago and I haven't fired a factory load in decades for either my rifles or pistols...excepting my 22 rimfires.

I keep it simple and safe but I have the time to load on a single stage press, some don't, especially when it comes to large amounts of ammunition. And I treat every round as though my life depends upon it.

 

[FROGO207]

^^^^^^Your life DOES depend on it. If you do something wrong and get a kaboom then you could possibly die. That there is enough to keep me alert at every step of assembly for every round. I want all my firearms and me personally to stay as they are today thank you.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Wow, I would say you have more than a starters kit there. I'm glad to see you bought quality products up front. Buying quality tools means you only have to buy once, well done!

You are going to love it when you pull the trigger on your first round and the round goes boom and the hole in the target is right where you aimed. That only happens once but it's great!

 

[sirgilligan]

Question: When I adjust the small base resizing die, I put the ram up with the shell holder, turn the die in until it touches and then turn it a little more until I feel what the instructions describe as the "cam over". I tightened the die until I felt that little "lump and give way" and no more. I assume that is sufficient.

 

[ironworkerwill]

1 800)357-1911

That number has been changed to 243-444-3006.

I started with the Lee Challenger kit many years ago. I still use most of it.

When I adjust the small base resizing die

1/8 more turn should do it, as you have a solid press. If it still chambers tight (brass only no bullet) 1/8 more may be needed.

Btw if it chambers fine by just kissing the die with the ram, thats ok too.